Violence mars Punjab Youth Congress poll at Jalalabad

Violence marred the on-going elections of the Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) at Jalalabad, a sub-division of Fazilka district, on Tuesday, when supporters of former Congress minister Hans Raj Jossan and Youth Congress leader Jagdeep Goldy Kamboj had a scuffle.

Violence marred the on-going elections of the Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) at Jalalabad, a sub-division of Fazilka district, on Tuesday, when supporters of former Congress minister Hans Raj Jossan and Youth Congress leader Jagdeep Goldy Kamboj had a scuffle.

According to information, on the first day of the five-day-long voting for the election of various posts of the PYC, when voting was going on at the local grain market here, supporters of Jossan and Goldy, who is in fray for the post of general secretary, after initial arguments, indulged in a scuffle.

During the clash, members of both groups reportedly rained stones and chairs at each other besides using sticks and even sharp-edged weapons to attack each other. Window panes of several cars were smashed and some bikes parked at the spot were also damaged.

Harbans Singh sustained sword injuries in his leg while Jawahar Singh, a nominee for the post of block president, also suffered injury on his hand. Some other party workers were also injured the clash.

The police had to resort to a cane-charge to disperse the clashing partymen.

"Fearing his defeat, Goldy deliberately started a clash with his nominee Jawahar Singh. When he came to know about it, I reached there to settle the dispute. But, Goldy and his men attacked us with a sword," Jossan said.

"I have brought the matter to the knowledge of the party high command and demanded that election at Jalalabad be cancelled till all enrolled voters are cross-checked," added Jossan

"Aides of Jossan were allegedly using fake voters to cast votes and when he objected, they started indulging in violence," alleged Goldy.

Swapan Sharma, senior superintendent of police, Fazilka, said that he had asked both factions to give in writing that they would not indulge in violence in future.

"Till the time they do not give in writing, they would not be allowed to carry on with the election process," said the SSP.

"We are recording the statements of all concerned in connection with the violence. Law would take its own course and those found guilty would be taken to task," said the SSP.